Applied Research & Faculty

NAIT has reinforced its reputation as a leader in applied research among Canadian polytechnics with the addition of two prominent researchers to the JR Shaw School of Business.
 
Dr. Aarti Sharma has been named the business school’s first-ever chair of applied research. Her work will focus on sustainable economic development strategies and policies in Alberta, which balance economic growth with environmental conservation and social development. She will work closely with and provide recommendations to industry and government.

Sharma is joined by Dr. Krista Uggerslev, who has been appointed as applied research fellow, another first for the school.  Her work will focus on solving the real-world challenges facing employers and governments, particularly around talent management and labour shortages.
 
“We are very excited about the addition of these extremely talented individuals to the JR Shaw School of Business,” says NAIT president and CEO, Dr. Glenn Feltham. “Their work will reinforce NAIT’s reputation as a leader in applied research that solves real-world problems.”
 
Sharma comes to NAIT from the University of South Florida, where she was an instructor in strategic management and sustainable enterprise. She has also held the position of lecturer in management at the Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand. In addition to her academic experiences, Sharma has held research and advisory positions on sustainable development at the U.S. embassy and The Energy and Resources Institute in India. She is also currently developing a research project in India looking at the impact of sustainable enterprise strategies of Indian and foreign multinational corporations.
 
“Working closely with NAIT faculty, staff and students as well as with Canadian businesses and government agencies, I am endeavoring to advance understanding and practices promoting sustainable enterprise strategies and sustainable development policies within Alberta and Canada,” says Sharma.
 
Uggerslev, who holds a PhD from the University of Calgary in industrial and organizational psychology, has an extensive background in research related to employee recruitment, talent management and leadership, and demographic and economic changes in Canada. 

Prior to coming to NAIT, Uggerslev was an associate professor of business administration at the University of Manitoba. She holds two national research grants to support research exploring factors behind Canada’s growing skilled labour shortage.

“I came to NAIT because I am interested in solving the real-world challenges facing businesses, this province and this country – today,” she says. “I want to make an impactful difference in recruiting and retaining top talent within Alberta and Canada. My goal is to help us understand what's ahead and help to guide us towards solutions.”